Abstract

&lt;I&gt;Objective.&lt;/I&gt; Published studies on the prevalence of depressive
symptoms using rating scales and the relationship between
depression and immune status offer inconsistent results.
Depressive symptoms are common and impact on functioning,
quality of life, and health status, highlighting the importance of
diagnosis and treatment of patients with HIV infection. The aim
of the study was to determine the occurrence of depression
among HIV-positive patients using the Beck's Depression
Inventory (BDI) and to determine a relationship, if any, between
depressive symptoms and CD4 count.
<br><I>Method. &lt;/I&gt; Forty-one patients aged 18 years or more were
recruited from the HIV outpatient clinic. All the subjects
completed the 21-item BDI and their CD4 counts were
determined. Patients who had a score of 10 or more on the BDI
were considered positive for a depressive disorder.
&lt;br&gt;&lt;I&gt;Results.&lt;/I&gt; More than half (56%) of the study sample had a BDI of
= 10 indicating significant symptoms of depression. There was
no significant difference in the CD4 counts between the
depressed and non-depressed groups (p > 0.05), and no
correlation between CD4 counts and BDI scores in the total
study sample (r = 0.27, p > 0.05). The affective components of
the BDI contributed significantly to the overall BDI score
compared with the somatic component (p < 0.05).
&lt;br&gt;&lt;I&gt;Conclusion.&lt;/I&gt; The evidence from the study supports the BDI as a
suitable measure for identifying those patients who meet the
<I>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)</I>
criteria for minor or major depression. The HIV epidemic is the
most serious health challenge in South Africa and it is imperative
that HIV-infected patients who complain of fatigue or insomnia
be screened routinely for major depression, followed by a
structured interview to confirm the diagnosis.